How can countries measure scientific integrity?

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Countries concerned about the reputation and integrity of their research base should reflect on how well they measure up against metrics of responsible scientific competitiveness, says an editorial in Nature.

The editorial suggests a number of metrics that can be used to measure the success of science-based innovation. These include 'misconduct metrics' to assess how fraud, fabrication and plagiarism are investigated and punished, and how institutions encourage good practice.

They also include metrics to measure the transparency in a country's evaluation, funding, recruitment and promotion policies, and metrics to assess national frameworks for science policy. A final set of metrics, to measure 'openness' — the receptivity to international partnerships and public criticism — is also needed, says the editorial.